Legislation Details

File #: HIST-5256    Version: 1 Subject:
Type: Historical Status: Action Item
In control: City Council Meeting Agenda
On agenda: 6/11/2007 Final action: 6/11/2007
Title: Consideration of the Parks and Recreation Commission’s Recommendation to the City Council Regarding the Allocation of Park Enhancement Program (PEP) Grants.
Attachments: 1. Consideration of the Parks and Recreation Commissi - A-5__07_06-11_ P&R Commission PEP Recommendation - FINAL.doc, 2. Consideration of the Parks and Recreation Commissi - A-5__PR Commission on PEP Program.pdf
City of Culver City, California City Council Agenda Item Report RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Council consider the Parks and Recreation Commission’s recommendations: (1) not to allocate up to two (2) Culver City Park Enhancement Program (PEP) grants specifically for projects on Culver City Unified School District (CCUSD) property and that the ten (10) PEP grants of up to $500 per project remain earmarked specifically for park improvement projects in fiscal year 2006-07; and, (2) in fiscal year 2008-09, the City Council create two (2) new Culver City Park Enhancement Program (PEP) grants (not to exceed $500 each) that may be used specifically for projects on Culver City Unified School District property. BACKGROUND: At the November 27, 2006 City Council meeting, there was a consensus of Council to agendize the discussion of the creation of a small grant program for the enhancement of neighborhood parks within Culver City. The Park Enhancement Program (PEP) was designed to meet the City’s need for such a program. The program awards grants of up to $500 per project (to a maximum of $5,000 per fiscal year) for neighborhood park improvements such as painting, maintenance, repair and minor landscaping, etc. that are developed in collaboration with, and approved by, the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department (PRCS). The goal of the PEP is to provide an avenue whereby neighborhood and civic groups including Homeowner’s Associations, Scout Troops and other community volunteers in carrying out their vision for the beautification of parks and open space within Culver City. Meeting Date: 06/11/07 Item Number: A-5 AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of the Parks and Recreation Commission’s Recommendation to the City Council Regarding the Allocation of Park Enhancement Program (PEP) Grants. Contact Person/Dept.: William La Pointe, PRCS Director Phone Number: (310) 253-6655 Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No [] Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [] Public Notification: PRCS Master Notification List (06/06/07); Parks and Recreation Commission (06/06/07); Parks and Service Foundation (06/06/07). Department Approval: Bill La Pointe, PRCS Director (05/18/07) City Attorney Approval: Carol Schwab (by H. Iker) (06/06/07) City Controller Approval: Marlee Chang (06/06/07) City Manager Approval: Jerry B. Fulwood (06/06/07) City of Culver City, California City Council Agenda Item Report At the January 2, 2007 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, the Commission issued a statement of unanimous support to the City Council for the establishment of the Park Enhancement Program with the request that the Commission would somehow be involved in the process. At the January 8, 2007 City Council meeting, Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Vicki Daly Redholtz addressed the Council during the public comment portion of the meeting and communicated the Commission’s position on the PEP to the City Council. The Commission’s position was also stated by PRCS Director William La Pointe in his staff report to the City Council. Following discussion, the following motion was made at the January 8, 2007 meeting: MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER GROSS, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER MALSIN AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL: 1. AUTHORIZE AND FUND THE CULVER CITY PARK ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (PEP); 2. ALLOCATE FUNDS FOR THE PROGRAM THROUGH THE COUNCIL DISCRETIONARY FUND THROUGH THE END OF FISCAL YEAR 2006-07. UP TO TEN (10) GRANTS AT UP TO $500 A PIECE ARE ABLE TO BE FUNDED FOR A MAXIMUM OF $5,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2006-07; AND 3. DIRECT THE PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO WORK OUT THE DETAILS OF THE PROGRAM. At the February 26, 2007 City Council meeting, Councilmember Scott Malsin requested Council support up to two (2) of the $500 PEP grants for projects that would be on Culver City Unified School District property. By consensus, the item came back to the City Council on March 5, 2005. After a brief discussion, Council voted unanimously to refer the item to the Parks and Recreation Commission for discussion and recommendation. DISCUSSION: At the May 1, 2007 Parks and Recreation Commission, the Commission discussed the idea of recommending that the City Council allocate two (2) Culver City Park Enhancement Program (PEP) Grants (not to exceed $500 each) specifically for projects that would be on Culver City Unified School District (CCUSD) property, if any are presented before the available funds are allocated to other projects (Attachment A). Subsequent to the discussion, a vote of the Commission was taken on two separate motions: City of Culver City, California City Council Agenda Item Report (1) MOVED BY COMMISSIONER COOPER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SHAPIRO, THAT THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL NOT TO ALLOCATE UP TO TWO (2) CULVER CITY PARK ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (PEP) GRANTS SPECIFICALLY FOR PROJECTS ON CULVER CITY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT (CCUSD) PROPERTY; AND THAT THE TEN (10) PEP GRANTS OF UP TO $500 PER PROJECT REMAIN EARMARKED SPECIFICALLY FOR PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2006-07. Ayes: Commissioners Cooper, Daly Redholtz, James, Shapiro Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: Commissioner Dean AND (2) MOVED BY COMMISSIONER COOPER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER JAMES, THAT THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO CREATE TWO (2) NEW CULVER CITY PARK ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (PEP) GRANTS (NOT TO EXCEED $500 EACH) TO BE USED SPECIFICALLY FOR PROJECTS ON CULVER CITY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPERTY IN FISCAL YEAR 2008-09. Ayes: Commissioners Cooper, Daly Redholtz, James Noes: Commissioner Shapiro Abstain: None Absent: Commissioner Dean FISCAL ANALYSIS: If action is taken by City Council to create two (2) Culver City Park Enhancement Program (PEP) grants specifically for projects on Culver City Unified School District property in fiscal year 2007-08, in addition to the approved grant amount, there would be additional City Attorney staff costs for the purpose of drafting agreements and/or Memorandums of Understanding (MOU’s) with the CCUSD regarding the use of City funds for projects on their land and the rights and responsibilities to maintain any said projects that are so funded by the City. City of Culver City, California City Council Agenda Item Report ATTACHMENTS: 1. Excerpt of the draft minutes of the May 1, 2007 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. MOTION: That the City Council: 1. Consider the Parks and Recreation Commission’s recommendation not to allocate up to two (2) Culver City Park Enhancement Program (PEP) grants specifically for projects on Culver City Unified School District (CCUSD) property; and that the ten (10) PEP grants of up to $500 per project remain earmarked specifically for park improvement projects in fiscal year 2006-07; and 2. Consider and take appropriate action on the Parks and Recreation Commission’s recommendation that the City Council create two (2) new Culver City Park Enhancement Program (PEP) grants (not to exceed $500 each) to be used specifically for projects on Culver City Unified School District property in fiscal year 2008-09. or 3. Discuss the item and provide further direction to staff. MEETING DATE : June 11, 2007 AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of the Parks and Recreation Commission's Recommendation to the City Council Regarding the Allocation of Park Enhancement Program (PEP) Grants. ATTACHMENTS Page 1. Excerpt of the draft minutes of the May 1, 2007 1-3 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting.Excerpt of Draft Minutes of Parks and Recreation Commission: May 1, 2007 These minutes are not official until approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission REGULAR MEETING OF THE May 1, 2007 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION 6:15 p.m. CITY OF CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA Attachment 1 CHAIR VICKI DALY REDHOLTZ Call to Order The meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Daly Redholtz at 6:25 p.m. in the Dan Patacchia Conference Room , City Hall. 000 Roll Call Members Present: Chair Vicki Daly Redholtz Vice Chair Jeffrey Cooper Commissioner Jeanette James (arrived after roll call) Commissioner Anita Shapiro Members Absent: Commissioner Charles A. Deen (excused) Staff Present: William La Pointe, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Heather Iker, Deputy City Attorney Patricia A. Mooney, Senior Management Analyst Marty Nicholson, Recreation Manager Pam Robinson, Veterans Memorial Complex Manager Todd Tipton, Redevelopment Administrator (Acting Community Development Director?) Thomas Gorham, Deputy CDD/Planning Manager Others Present : Alan Corlin, Mayor Carol Gross , Vice Mayor Gary Silbiger, Councilmember D. Scott Malsin , Councilmember Jim Pickel , Principal, MIG, Inc. Margery Morris , Deputy Principal , MIG, Inc. Marta Zaragoza , Culver City Parks and Service Foundation Don Marquardt , Consultant Neil and Toby Rubenstein , Culver City Dale Jensen , Culver City 000 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (Excerpt) 1Excerpt of Draft Minutes of Parks and Recreation Commission : May 1, 2007 Item A-2. (8:14 p.m.) Consideration of Recommendation to the City Council of Allocating Two Park Enhancement Program (PEP) Grants Specifically for Projects on Culver City Unified School District (CCUSD) Property. Bill La Pointe gave the staff report. Responding to Chair Daly Redholtz, staff reported: • A total of five (5) applications have been received, reviewed, and/or approved to date, with two (2) applications forthcoming. This would leave three (3) grants available for the current fiscal year. • Community outreach including advertising the grant program in the Parks , Recreation and Community Services (PR&CS) Department's Forward Focus, articles in the last two publications of Culver City Living, and through various homeowner associations. At this time, the following written comments submitted by Marta Zaragoza, Culver City resident and President of the Culver City Parks and Service Foundation, were read into the record: I commend our Council for their two $500 grants for Culver City Unified School District property. / recommend our Council begin by approving a $500 grant to Linwood E. Howe Elementary School. The enhancement would be to the termite damaged eating area next to the Parks and Recreation "Hut." On a yearly basis 92,500 students are exposed to an environment on City and District property that endangers their lives if and when the shelter collapses. My concern is NOT the liability to our Council or our School District but my complete concern is for the health, welfare and safety of our school children. The 92,500 student total is based on the minimum of 500 student body, times 185 school days. Discussion ensued. There was general concern expressed by Commissioners regarding the legal implications and additional staff costs that would be associated with use of City funds for projects on School District property, as well as the rights and responsibilities to maintain said projects. At this time, Commissioner Cooper made a motion to recommend the current funding for ten (10) PEP grants remain earmarked specifically for neighborhood park improvements and public rights-of-way, and not to be used for school district property; and encouraging the City Council to set aside two additional PEP grants of $500 each to be used for the Culver City Unified School District property. The motion was seconded by Commissioner James. Chair Daly Redholtz said she would support part of the motion and asked if the maker of the motion would be willing to separate the motion. Commissioner Cooper concurred with Chair Daly Redholtz's request. Commissioner James withdrew her second to the motion, The following actions were taken: MOVED BY COMMISSIONER COOPER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SHAPIRO, THAT THE PARKS AND RECREATION RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL NOT TO ALLOCATE UP TO TWO (2) CULVER CITY PARK ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (PEP) GRANTS SPECIFICALLY FOR PROJECTS ON CULVER ZExcerpt of Draft Minutes of Parks and Recreation Commission : May 1, 2007 CITY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPERTY; AND THAT THE TEN (10) PEP GRANTS OF UP TO $500 PER PROJECT REMAIN EARMARKED SPECIFICALLY FOR PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2006-07. Ayes: Commissioners Cooper, Daly Redholtz, James, Shapiro Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: Commissioner Deen MOVED BY COMMISSIONER COOPER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER JAMES, THAT THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO CREATE TWO (2) NEW CULVER CITY PARK ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (PEP) GRANTS (NOT TO EXCEED $500 EACH) TO BE USED SPECIFICALLY FOR PROJECTS ON CULVER CITY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPERTY IN FISCAL YEAR 2008-09. Ayes: Commissioners Cooper, Daly Redholtz, James Noes: Commissioner Shapiro Abstain: None Absent: Commissioner Deen Chair Daly Redholtz asked to be agendized for discussion at the June meeting , consideration of a request to the City Council to increase the original number of PEP grants to be funded in Fiscal Year 2008-09. Mr. La Pointe pointed out the issue can be addressed during the budget process as funding for the PEP grants is included as part of the proposed enhancements for the two -year budget . He also reminded the Commission that the request from the City Council was for consideration of allocating grant funding for school district projects and not for increasing the number/funding for the PEP grants. 000